Knowledge Builders

whats the difference between soffit and fascia

by Mrs. Brionna Weimann Sr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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You're asking “what's a soffit?” A Soffit often refers to the exposed underside of a roof overhang, or eave, while fascia is often used to create a smooth appearance on a roof's edge and protect the roofing and interior of a home from severe weather.

Full Answer

Do you know what's the difference between soffit and fascia?

Difference Between Soffit and Fascia

  • Soffit is usually an underside element of a building such as a projecting cornice or an arch. ...
  • Soffit is used beneath the eaves of a house in order to close the space underneath. ...
  • Soffit is typical made of aluminium or vinyl. ...
  • Soffit is the most vulnerable aspect of the two because it is constantly exposed to water and other natural elements. ...

What is a soffit, and what does it do?

The soffit is part of the overhang where your roof meets your siding. When rain or snow hits your roof, it runs down, and the overhang allows the water to flow away from your house. The soffit is underneath the overhang, between the roof’s edge and side of your home—the bottom of the triangle, if you will.

What happens when soffits or fascia come loose?

When soffits blow off, wind-driven rain penetrates the building and damages attic insulation, ceilings, and walls. After Hurricanes Irma and Michael, I toured the ravaged areas observing damage to soffits and facia, trying to determine what may have caused the materials to fail and how to prevent it.

Which type of soffit is best to use?

  • Available in precut sizes for fast installation
  • Limited lifetime paint warranty
  • 100% recyclable
  • Noncombustible Aluminum Aluminum soffits are popular for many reasons. ...
  • Easy to clean
  • Noncombustible
  • Water and corrosion resistant
  • Will not rust, rot, or split Vinyl Vinyl is another popular soffit material that is highly durable and easy to maintain. ...

More items...

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Do you need both soffit and fascia?

Are Soffits and Fascia Necessary? They are definitely necessary. Since heat rises, your attic or crawl space collects warm, humid air and soffit vents provide the air circulation needed to get rid of excess heat and humidity.

Are soffits attached to fascia?

The soffit board is tucked away under the fascia board. It is usually the board that you see most of from street level. The soffit can be ventilated to allow the flow of air into the roof area. Alternatively, ventilation can be provided over the top of the fascia board.

What is the difference between fascia and soffit on a house?

The soffit helps regulate your home's temperature, allowing your roof to “breathe.” Cool, dry air is drawn into the soffit vent, and hot moist air is forced out of roof exhaust vents. The fascia is the attractive board along the side of the overhang and the roof that helps your roof appear finished.

Is fascia and soffit the same?

Fascia is the area of siding directly above the soffit. It's the exposed board you see on the front of your roof's overhang. Your fascia is also where gutters are placed.

What goes on first soffit or fascia?

These should be installed down the middle. Once this is done, you want to ensure that you nail the soffit into those as well to keep them from sagging. Once you have installed the soffit, you can finish the job by installing the fascia. The fascia will cover the outer edge of the soffit and protect the sub fascia.

Can you replace soffit without removing fascia?

Because of the position of the soffit underneath the fascia, it would likely cause damage if you didn't remove it as well. Your repair professional can look at the area and explain how they'll go about replacing the soffit, but it'll likely include removing the fascia to access the area.

How often should soffits be replaced?

There is no definite timetable for replacing a soffit or fascia, but there are some signs that roof repair contractors look for when evaluating your roof's overall health.

What is the purpose of fascia on a house?

What Is the Purpose of Fascia on a House? Like trim, fascia serves the home by helping to keep moisture out and away from the roof when installed properly. It also supports the roof, shingles and gutters, which help direct water away from the home.

Can soffit get wet?

If the soffit gets wet repeatedly, it can lead to wood rot. Left unchecked, the moisture turns into insidious mold, which can further infect the wood components of your home's structure. Wetness can also result from: Shingles that are damaged and dripping water onto the soffit.

What is the purpose of a soffit on a house?

Why does my home need soffit? Soffit acts as a passive ventilation unit for your attic. It keeps warm moisture in the air from entering the attic air and condensing and creating mold. Before soffit became a popular method of circulating air though a roof area, homes used gable vents or a hood vent to create air flow.

What is board under soffit called?

Fascia is a specific type of trim, which is installed just below the roof line. It helps to cover the soffit, and provides a more finished appearance for the roof and eaves of the home. These boards may vary in width, but is generally a slightly wider or thicker version of the same trim used on the rest of the home.

Where is the soffit located on a house?

The soffit is the material beneath the eave that connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. They are often vented. Besides being underneath your eaves, soffits can also be on the underside of a porch roof.

How do soffits attach?

7:3729:57How To Install Soffit And Fascia - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's very easy to do you have a nailing flange on this side. And then an interlocking. Channel onMoreIt's very easy to do you have a nailing flange on this side. And then an interlocking. Channel on this side. So you just take this side lock it into the existing soffit slot it into the f.

How do you remove a soffit?

To remove vinyl soffit panels, you will need to unmount or unlock both edges of the panel from the retaining channel on both sides. With the ladder positioned either toward the wall or the roof's edge underneath the soffit panel you want to remove, use the zip tool to free the panel from the retaining channel.

How do you remove soffits and fascias?

Soffit and Fascia RepairRemove Shingle Mold. Pry the narrow shingle mold from the fascia using a flat bar. ... Remove Rotted Fascia. Remove the rotted section of fascia. ... Remove Old Soffit. Pull down to remove the old soffit. ... Remove Rotted Rafter. ... Attach Cleat. ... Attach New Rafter. ... Seal Replacement Soffit. ... Attach Replacement Soffit.More items...

How often should soffits be replaced?

There is no definite timetable for replacing a soffit or fascia, but there are some signs that roof repair contractors look for when evaluating your roof's overall health.

Why do you need fascia board and soffit?

In most homes, you’ll have both a fascia board and a soffit working together to protect your roof and eaves from moisture and to help give your home a finished appearance.

What is fascia on a roof?

Fascia is considered the last line of defense for your roofline and rafters against the elements. It’s what your gutters attach to, and it helps block out some of the rain, snow, and wind from getting underneath your roofline.

Why do you need soffit?

A good soffit is often perforated as well, to allow air to circulate better, removing built up moisture and helping to eliminate issues such as mold or wood rot caused by condensation.

What are the two pieces of a roof?

Two pieces that are installed along the roofline of your home are the fascia and the soffit. Because they’re installed close to one another, many people assume that they’re interchangeable, but the two materials each serve a distinct purpose, with the soffit, in particular, being necessary for the protection of your eaves.

What are the two pieces of siding that are installed on the roof of a house?

Two pieces that are installed along the roofline of your home are the fascia and the soffit. Because they’re installed close to one another, many people assume that they’re interchangeable, but the two materials each serve a distinct purpose, with the soffit, in particular, being necessary for the protection of your eaves.

Why do roofs overhang?

Most roofs will overhang the building slightly in order to offer additional protection to the home. This overhang is sometimes called the eave of the roof, and usually contains the ends of the rafters. If your home or building has an attic, you may be able to see the space where the building ends, but the roof continues to extend down past the walls.

Is fascia needed for a roof?

While a fascia isn’t always necessary for a home or roof, soffits generally are. Without a soffit, not only would the home not have a finished appearance, but the rafters and eaves would be exposed to the elements, and at risk for problems like wood rot, interior leaks, mold growth, and roof deck failure.

What is the difference between fascia and soffit?

Although used in conjunction with one another, soffit and fascia are two different aspects that provide a myriad of uses when it comes to the protection as well as the look and feel of a building. • Soffit is usually an underside element of a building such as a projecting cornice or an arch. Fascia is a thin board that runs along the edges ...

What is fascia and soffit?

Fascia and soffit are two integral components that are used when it comes to installing roofing. Soffit and fascia provide a variety of purposes such as preventing mold and mildew as well as providing better ventilation. Although, fascia and soffit are two terms often used together they are two different things with different purposes.

What is soffit used for?

Soffit is used for the purpose of forming the ceiling from the top of an exterior house wall to the outer edge of the roof, otherwise known as eaves. In this case, the material is often nailed or screwed to the rafters typically referred to as lookout rafters. The exposure profile of soffit will depend on the building’s construction, varying from a few centimetres to 3 feet or more and can be either ventilated or non-ventilated.

What is soffit in architecture?

What is Soffit? Soffit in architectural terms refers to the underside of any elements. The most commonly referred to of such elements is the roof and, in popular terms, the material with which the underside of the roof is created is referred to as soffit.

What is a fascia?

Derived from the Latin term fascia meaning band, bandage, ribbon or swathe, fascia is a term that refers to a frieze or band running horizontally, and placed vertically under the edge of the roof. It may be visible to an outside viewer and may also form the outer surface of a cornice.

Where is the fascia board?

It is the fascia board which is usually found capping the end of rafters outside a building that also at times holds the rain gutter. Fascia can also refer to other band-like features around doorways located separately from the wall surface.

Why are fascias and soffits confused?

Often the terms soffit and fascia are confused because they are usually referred to together, but they are very different components with separate uses. Advertisement.

Why do you need soffit and fascia?

Soffit and fascia work together to provide protection your roof's interior parts. Soffit and fascia are used when installing roofs. Installing these two roofing components together helps prevent mold and mildew resulting from moisture to enter your home's rafters.

What is the board that runs along the ends of a structure to which exterior elements such as guttering are attached?

Fascia is the board that runs along the ends of a structure to which exterior elements such as guttering is attached. The horizontal pieces that cover the space between the soffit and the roof are the fascia boards.

What is soffit made of?

Materials. Soffit is typically made of vinyl or aluminum, but wood is also used in some construction. Vinyl and aluminum soffit is usually available in a variety of colors to match the home's siding. Fascia boards are commonly made of wood but also might be purchased in plastic and aluminum.

Where is the fascia board on a roof?

Fascia is important to a properly constructed roof and is typically installed beneath the roof line and behind the gutters. Fascia is installed around the entire structure and is attached to the uncovered ends of rafters or to the top of exterior walls. Soffit is designed to be installed from the exterior wall to the fascia board. It is hidden under the eave and behind the fascia. Sometimes the roof is flush with the edge of the exterior walls. In these cases, the fascia itself might include soffits for venting.

What is the underside of a building called?

The underside of any element of a building, such as an arch, a projecting cornice or the underside of a flight of stairs is called a soffit. For example, the horizontal piece of aluminum or vinyl that covers the underside of your roof's overhang is a soffit.

Where is soffit used?

Typically a soffit is used in the area beneath the eaves on the exterior of a house to close the space beneath the eave. The soffit extends from the side of the structure to the edge of the eave. Fascia is used to create a barrier between the edge of the roof and the outside. It creates a smooth appearance to the edge and protects ...

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